Systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide in a dual fluid vessel

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of systems and methods for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a dual-fluid vessel thereby minimizing transportation between locations are disclosed. In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel has an outer shell with two or more inner compartments, positioned within the outer shell, including a first inner compartment for storing CO2 and a second inner compartment for storing fuel. The dual-fluid vessel may connect or attach to a transportation vehicle to thereby allow transportation of the fuel and CO2. Insulation may provide temperature regulation for the fuel and CO2 when positioned in the respective first and second inner compartments. One or more ports having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading the fuel and/or CO2.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/265,554, filed Dec. 16, 2021, titled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING FUEL AND CO2 IN A DUAL FLUIDVESSEL,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/377,822, filed Sep. 30,2022, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSPORTING FUEL AND CO2 IN ADUAL FLUID VESSEL,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 17/739,488, filed May 9, 2022, titled “SCALABLEGREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.17/652,530, filed Feb. 25, 2022, titled “SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURESYSTEMS AND METHODS,” and which claims priority to related to U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/200,581, filed Mar. 16, 2021, titled“SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” and U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/267,567, filed Feb. 4, 2022, titled“SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” the disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 17/652,530, filed Feb. 25, 2022, titled “SCALABLEGREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which claims priority toand the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/200,581, filedMar. 16, 2021, titled “SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/267,567, filed Feb. 4,2022, titled “SCALABLE GREENHOUSE GAS CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for backhaultransportation of fuel and carbon dioxide. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to methods and systems for transporting fueland carbon dioxide using a dual-fluid vessel.

BACKGROUND

Certain gases, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogendioxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic hydrocarbons,other particulate matter, etc., when released to the atmosphere arepurported to adversely contribute to climate change and have beenlabeled as greenhouse gases. To mitigate perceived climate change ormeet private, public, country, state, or global commitments/policies,much worldwide attention and focus has been placed on reducing therelease of these greenhouse gases to atmosphere, e.g., as shown via TheParis Agreement. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are directlyreleased to atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels, forexample, in a vehicle or other vehicles that utilize fossil fuels.Further, atmospheric carbon dioxide may absorb heat that could otherwisebe directed to space. The residence time of atmospheric carbon dioxidepaired with accumulation may be cause for global focus.

Currently, the majority of motorist vehicles sold and in use areinternal combustion engine motorist vehicles. Further, internalcombustion engine motorist vehicles are affordable and widely available.Further still, the majority of fueling infrastructure within the UnitedStates, as well as globally, is constructed to support or provide fuelto internal combustion engine motorist vehicles. While other motoristvehicle options exist, such as fuel cell or electric based motoristvehicles, such options are costly and currently lack range and theextensive infrastructure typically associated with internal combustionengine motorist vehicles.

To offset greenhouse gas emissions produced by motorist vehicles orother vehicles, a user may purchase an alternative fuel vehicle (e.g.,fuel cell or battery electric vehicles). However, manufacturing suchvehicles produces some level of greenhouse gases and, as noted, may notbe affordable or widely available. Further, both manufacturing ofelectric vehicles and components, as well as the production of theelectricity to charge electric vehicles may produce some level ofgreenhouse gases. Additionally, the raw materials (e.g., lithium,nickel, manganese, cobalt, etc.) for such electric and other alternativepowered vehicles or devices may create economic in-balances due tosource geology and supply/demand fundamentals. In addition,infrastructure to fuel or charge such vehicles is not extensive orwidely available and will require significant capital deployment. As analternative, the motorist or user may purchase credits to offset anygreenhouse gas emissions produced by operating the internal combustionmotor vehicle. Such credits may be used to plant trees that capture anequivalent amount or portion of greenhouse gases from the air or othercertified sources. However, such greenhouse gas offsetting programs arelimited and may not fully mitigate the full scope of greenhouse gasemissions and the land-use impact is largely unknown. One viablealternative for directly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is to capturecarbon dioxide produced by and found in the combustion products emittedfrom an internal combustion engine vehicle, while the vehicle is inmotion. Many innovations exist relating to carbon capture, particularlyaround on-board vehicle carbon capture. While such innovations areavailable, no solution is known to exist for the efficient off-loadingand transfer and/or transport of the captured carbon dioxide, whether inliquid or gas form.

Further, captured carbon dioxide is typically incompatible with otherfluids and must be transported in a specialized and separatetransportation vessel. Typically, two separate transportation vehicleswould be used for such transportation, e.g., one to transport liquidfuel and one to transport carbon.

SUMMARY

Applicant has recognized that transporting captured greenhouse gasemissions using a specialized and separate vehicle is inefficient, whenother fluids, such as fuel, may be delivered to the same location. Theadditional use of a specialized and separate transportation vehicle fortransporting captured carbon increases the number of transportationvehicles used at a location, which impacts emissions produced.

Applicant has recognized the problems noted herein, and the presentdisclosure is directed to embodiments of systems and methods ofdual-fluid transportation of fuel and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in adual-fluid vessel thereby eliminating or reducing the number oftransportation vehicles used to transport both fuel and carbon dioxide.

For example, the present disclosure includes embodiments of a dual-fluidvessel configured to connect to a transportation vehicle fortransporting a fuel and CO₂. The dual-fluid vessel may include an outershell that has an outer surface. The embodiment may further include twoor more inner compartments positioned within the outer shell. The two ormore inner compartments may have a first inner compartment that maystore CO₂ and a second inner compartment that may store fuel. Insulationmay be positioned between the outer surface and the two or more innercompartments to provide temperature regulation for the CO₂, and in someexamples the fuel, when positioned in the respective first and secondinner compartments. The dual-fluid vessel may also include one or moreports. Each of the one or more ports may have an opening in and throughthe outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of the first innercompartment or the second inner compartment thereby. The one or moreports may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluidpathway for loading or offloading one or more of the fuel or CO₂.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directedto a dual-fluid transport system. The dual-fluid transport system maytransport a fuel and CO₂. The system may be configured to store orcontain a fuel to be delivered to a location or preselected location.The system may further be configured to store or contain CO₂ that may beretrieved at the same location or preselected location and delivered toanother location. Two or more storage tanks may be positioned at thelocation. One or more of the two or more storage tanks may be configuredto store the fuel and while another one or more of the two or morestorage tanks may be configured to store the CO₂.

The system may also include a transportation vehicle for transportingthe fuel and CO₂. The transportation vehicle may have or include one ormore controllers or a control system configured to control offloadingand/or loading of the fuel and/or CO₂. The one or more controllers orthe control system may comprise or include a user interface to allow anoperator to select offloading and/or loading operations for the fuel andCO₂. The transportation vehicle may further include a fuel pumpcontrolled by the one or more controllers or the control system. Thefuel pump may be in fluid communication with a tank storing orcontaining the fuel. The transportation vehicle may also include a CO₂pump controlled by the one or more controllers or the control system.The CO₂ pump may be in fluid communication with a tank storing orcontaining the CO₂. One or more digital gauges may be positioned on thetransportation vehicle and/or adjacent and/or proximate one or more ofthe one or more controllers. The one or more digital gauges may displayone or more of pressures, flowrates, thermodynamic characteristics, orcompartment level of two or more inner compartments of thetransportation vehicle.

The system may further include a dual-fluid vessel configured to connectto a transportation vehicle for transporting the fuel and the CO₂. Thedual-fluid vessel may include an outer shell that has an outer surface.In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel may further include two or moreinner compartments positioned within the outer shell. The two or moreinner compartments may comprise, at least, a first inner compartmentthat may store CO₂ and a second inner compartment that may store fuel.Insulation may be positioned between the outer surface and the two ormore inner compartments to provide temperature regulation for the CO₂,and, in some examples, the fuel, when positioned in the respective firstand second inner compartments. The dual-fluid vessel may also includeone or more ports. Each of the one or more ports may have an opening inand through the outer shell and a fluid pathway to one or more of thefirst inner compartment or the second inner compartment. The one or moreports may provide fluid communication through the opening and fluidpathway for loading or offloading of one or more of the fuel or CO₂.

The system may further include one or more external hoses having aproximal end portion attached to a first adapter and a distal endportion attached to a second adapter. The proximal end portion may bepositioned to be in fluid communication between the first compartment orthe second compartment via the fuel pump and CO₂ pump. The distal endportion may be positioned to be in fluid communication with each of theone or more storage tanks. In an embodiment, the distal end portion ofone of the external hoses may comprise a nozzle connector configured toassist with or enable removal of CO₂ from the vessel when positioned inthe first inner compartment.

In another embodiment, the first inner compartment or the second innercompartment may comprise a bladder. In such an embodiment, the bladder(e.g., for example, the second inner compartment) may be positionedwithin the other inner compartment (e.g., for example, the first innercompartment). As the bladder is filled with a fluid (e.g., fuel or CO₂),the bladder may expand. As fluid (e.g., fuel or CO₂) is removed from thebladder, the bladder may retract or contract.

In another embodiment, the fuel may comprise one of an ultra-low sulfurdiesel (ULSD), diesel, gasoline, renewable diesel, hydrogen, ammonia,ethanol, or liquefied natural gas (LNG). The transportation vehicle maycomprise one of a semi-tractor, a marine vessel, or a rail locomotive.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to dual-fluid vesselconfigured to connect to a transportation vehicle for transporting afuel and CO₂. The dual-fluid vessel may include an outer shell,including an outer surface. The dual-fluid vessel may include an innercompartment defined by a space within the outer shell and configured tostore CO₂. The dual-fluid vessel may include a bladder positioned withinthe inner compartment and configured to store liquid fuel. Thedual-fluid vessel may include insulation positioned between the outersurface and the inner compartment to provide temperature regulation forfuel and the CO₂. The dual-fluid vessel may include one or more portseach having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluidpathway to one or more of the inner compartment or the bladder toprovide fluid communication through the opening for loading/offloadingone or more of the fuel or CO₂.

Another embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to amethod of offloading or loading a fuel and CO₂ at a location. The methodmay include stationing a transportation vehicle at a location. Thetransportation vehicle may have or include one or more controllers or acontrol system configured to control offloading or loading of the fueland CO₂. The one or more controllers or the control system may compriseor include a user interface to allow an operator to select offloading orloading operations of the fuel and CO₂. The transportation vehicle mayfurther include a fuel pump controlled by the one or more controllers orthe control system. The fuel pump may be in fluid communication with thetank storing or containing fuel. The transportation vehicle may furtherinclude a CO₂ pump controlled by the one or more controllers or thecontrol system. The CO₂ pump may be in fluid communication with the tankstoring or containing CO₂. The transportation vehicle and/or the one ormore controllers or the control system may include and/or be in signalcommunication with one or more digital gauges. The one or more digitalgauges may display one or more of pressures, flowrates, thermodynamiccharacteristics, or compartment level of the two or more innercompartments.

A dual-fluid vessel may be connected to the transportation vehicle fortransporting the fuel and the CO₂. The dual-fluid vessel may include anouter shell that has an outer surface. The dual-fluid vessel may furtherinclude two or more inner compartments positioned within the outershell. The two or more inner compartments may have or comprise a firstinner compartment that may store CO₂ and a second inner compartment maystore fuel. Insulation may be positioned between the outer surface andthe two or more inner compartments to provide temperature regulation forthe CO₂ and, in some examples, the fuel, when positioned in therespective first and second inner compartments. The dual-fluid vesselmay also include one or more ports. Each of the one or more ports mayhave an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluid pathway toone or more of the first inner compartment or the second innercompartment. The one or more ports may provide fluid communicationthrough the opening and fluid pathway for loading or offloading one ormore of the fuel or CO₂.

The method may further include confirming contents in the first innercompartment and the second inner compartment. The method may includesubsequent to content confirmation, connecting one or more externalhoses having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. Theproximal end portion may be attached to a first adapter may be in fluidcommunication with the first compartment and the CO₂ pump on thetransportation vehicle or the second compartment and the fuel pump onthe transportation vehicle. The distal end portion attached to a secondadapter may be in fluid communication with one or more storage tanks atthe location. Each of the storage tanks may contain an amount of fuel oran amount of CO₂.

The method may further include activating, via the one or morecontrollers or the control system, the fuel pump and the CO₂ pump tothereby supply power to the fuel pump and CO₂ pump. The amount of fuelfrom the second inner compartment may be pumped to the one or morestorage tanks at the location. The amount of CO₂ from the one or morestorage tanks may be pumped to the first inner compartment. The one ormore external hoses may then be disconnected.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a method ofoffloading/loading a fuel and CO₂ at a location. The method may includestationing a transportation vehicle with a first inner compartment and asecond inner compartment of a dual-fluid vessel at a location. Themethod may include, in response to an amount of fuel in the second innercompartment and an operation to fill or partially fill one or more fuelstorage tanks at the location, pumping an amount of fuel from the secondinner compartment to the one or more fuel storage tanks at the locationto thereby cause the second inner compartment to contract. The methodmay include, in response to no or a partial amount of CO₂ in the firstinner compartment, pumping an amount of CO₂ from the one or more CO₂storage tanks to the first inner compartment based on the amount of fuelpumped from the second inner compartment and the contents in the firstinner compartment.

In another embodiment, the method may further include, subsequent topumping the amount of fuel from the second inner compartment and if noor traces amount of fuel remains in the second inner compartment,purging the second inner compartment to remove substantially all tracesof fuel within the second inner compartment. The method may alsoinclude, subsequent to pumping the amount of CO₂ to the first innercompartment and in response to a determination that the first innercompartment is partially filled and the second inner compartment isempty or partially filled, pumping an amount of nitrogen into one ormore of the first inner compartment or second inner compartment toprevent movement of CO₂ within the first inner compartment while thetransportation vehicle transports the CO₂.

Still other aspects and advantages of these embodiments and otherembodiments, are discussed in detail herein. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing information and the followingdetailed description provide merely illustrative examples of variousaspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview orframework for understanding the nature and character of the claimedaspects and embodiments. Accordingly, these and other objects, alongwith advantages and features herein disclosed, will become apparentthrough reference to the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the features of thevarious embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and mayexist in various combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbecome better understood with regard to the following descriptions,claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that thedrawings illustrate only several embodiments of the disclosure and,therefore, are not to be considered limiting of the disclosure's scope.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid transportsystem for transporting fuel and carbon dioxide, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor with anattached dual-fluid vessel having a horizontal expandable bladder forfuel, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor with anattached dual-fluid vessel having a vertically expandable bladder forfuel, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor with oneor more controllers or a control system, pumps, and an attacheddual-fluid vessel having a vertically expandable bladder for fuel,according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a semi-tractor with an attacheddual-fluid vessel having a fixed portion with a horizontally expandablebladder on each side of the fixed portion, according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a semi-tractor with an attacheddual-fluid vessel having a fixed portion with a horizontally expandablebladder on each side of the fixed inner surface controlled by a springsystem, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a schematic diagram of a semi-tractor with an attacheddual-fluid vessel having a fixed portion with a horizontally expandablebladder on each side of the fixed inner surface controlled by ahydraulic system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3E is a schematic diagram of a fixed portion with a horizontallyexpandable bladder controlled by a hydraulic system, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor with anattached dual-fluid vessel having two fixed inner compartments,according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor with one ormore controllers or a control system, pumps, and an attached dual-fluidvessel having two fixed inner compartments, according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustration of a marine vessel fortransporting fuel and CO₂ in a dual-fluid vessel, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram illustration of a LNG vessel fortransporting fuel and CO₂ in a dual-fluid vessel, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustration of a rail locomotive fortransporting fuel and CO₂ in a dual-fluid vessel, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel withan expanded partially-full bladder of fuel, according to an embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel withan expanded partially-full bladder of fuel and liquid CO₂ in the firstinner compartment, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel withan expanded partially-full bladder of fuel and nitrogen in the firstinner compartment filled with external nitrogen storage vessels,according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8D is a schematic diagram illustration of a semi-tractor having adual-fluid vessel with an expanded partially-full bladder of fuel andnitrogen in the first inner compartment filled with on-board nitrogenstorage vessels, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel witha partially-full bladder of fuel and a first inner compartment with anegligible amount of N₂, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel witha partially-full bladder of fuel and nitrogen in the first innercompartment, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel witha partially-filled or empty bladder of fuel in the first innercompartment, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9D is a schematic diagram illustration of a dual-fluid vessel witha partially-filled bladder of fuel in the first inner compartment,according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram for transporting a fuel and carbondioxide, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram that illustrates offloading/loading a fuel andcarbon dioxide, to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram implemented in a controller, forcontrolling offloading and onloading operations, according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well asothers, which will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, amore particular description of embodiments of systems and methodsbriefly summarized above may be had by reference to the followingdetailed description of embodiments thereof, in which one or more arefurther illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of thisspecification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrateonly various embodiments of the embodiments of the systems and methodsdisclosed herein and are therefore not to be considered limiting of thescope of the systems and methods disclosed herein as it may includeother effective embodiments as well.

In one or more embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-12 , for example,the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods fortransporting a fuel and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a dual-fluid vessel.Transporting fuel and CO₂ typically includes the utilization of multipletransportation vehicles designed to meet different fluid specifications.Transportation of CO₂, for example, may include the utilization of aspecialized tank for the CO₂ to remain in a liquid state. The presentdisclosure minimizes the number of trips to transport fuel to a locationwhile also gathering CO₂ at the location to transport to various marketsfor various uses, transportation, or permanent sequestration.

An embodiment of a dual-fluid transport system 100 for transporting afuel and CO₂ is illustrated in FIG. 1 . In one or more embodiments, adual-fluid vessel 104 may be attached to, connected to, and/orpositioned on a transportation vehicle 108. As indicated in FIG. 1 , thetransportation vehicle 108 may be positioned at a location or apreselected location (e.g., a driver, operator, or user may drive thetransportation vehicle 108 to the location, for example, to deliver fueland/or receive CO₂). The transportation vehicle 108 may be asemi-tractor, a marine vessel (e.g., a brown water vessel, such as abarge or river barge, or a blue water vessel, such as a marine vessel,ocean vessel, medium range (MR) tankers, general purpose tankers, etc.),or a rail locomotive and/or rail car. The transportation vehicle 108 maybe designed or configured to move or transport fluid varying distancesfrom various locations. The distance may be one or more miles from oneor more of the various locations. At any one of the location, anchoredfuel storage tanks 102 may store fuel and CO₂ storage tanks 106 maystore CO₂. The fuel storage tanks 102 and CO₂ storage tanks 106 mayconnect to the dual-fuel vessel 104 (e.g., during a fueling or CO₂offloading operation) via one or more external hoses. In an embodiment,the fuel storage tanks 102 and/or the CO₂ storage tanks 106 may belocated above grade, below grade, or some combination thereof. Thelocation may be a retail gas station, a distribution center, aprocessing plant, a port, a train station, a terminal, a bus terminal,and/or any other hub.

The dual-fuel vessel 104 may include a CO₂ pressure relief system and anitrogen pressure relief system. Nitrogen may be used to purge thedual-fluid vessel 104 of the fuel and/or the CO₂ or substantially alltraces of the fuel and/or CO₂. In some embodiments, the nitrogen maycome from one or more storage vessels at the location may be connectedto the dual-fluid vessel. For example, subsequent to pumping the fuelfrom a second inner compartment of the dual-fluid vessel 104 (e.g., fromthe second inner compartment to the one or more fuel storage tanks) andif, at least trace amounts of fuel remain in the second innercompartment, the nitrogen may be pumped into the second innercompartment to remove substantially all traces of fuel within the secondinner compartment. In another example, subsequent to pumping CO₂ to afirst inner compartment of the dual-fluid vessel 104 (e.g., pumping CO₂from one or more CO₂ storage locations to the first inner compartment)and, in response to a determination that the first inner compartment ispartially filled and the second inner compartment is empty or partiallyfilled, the nitrogen may be pumped into the first inner compartmentand/or second inner compartment to fill one or more of the first innercompartment or second inner compartment to prevent movement of CO₂within the first inner compartment while the transportation vehicle 108transports the CO₂.

The fuel transported to the location and stored in the fuel storagetanks 102 may comprise one or more of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD),diesel, gasoline, renewable diesel, hydrogen, ammonia, ethanol, orliquefied natural gas (LNG), among other fuel types. The CO₂ stored inthe CO₂ storage tanks 106 may comprise a gas or a liquid. To maintainCO₂ in a liquid form, the temperature of CO₂ may be maintained below thecritical point and above the triple point, as well as within a thresholdpressure range, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. The CO₂may remain a gas while the CO₂ is below the critical point atapproximately or about 31 degrees Celsius and below about 73 atmospherepressure, as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, the fuel may be offloaded from the dual-fluidvessel 104, using one or more external hoses, to fill the fuel storagetanks 102. An operator and/or a controller may monitor the pressure,temperature, and/or the level of fuel inside the dual-fuel vessel 104using one or more digital gauges on the transportation vehicle. In otherembodiments, a smart control board (e.g., such as one or morecontrollers) may calculate the amount of fuel and CO₂ remaining in thedual-fluid vessel 104. Additionally, one or more controllers or acontrol system may be positioned and/or configured to monitor and/ormeasure characteristics (e.g., pressure, temperature, type of fuel,and/or level within the fuel storage tanks 102 via one or more sensorsor probes associated with the fuel storage tanks 102) of the fuelstorage tanks 102 at the location may have or include to monitor thepressure, temperature, and/or level inside the fuel tanks 102. In anembodiment, the one or more controllers of the fuel storage tanks 102 orthe location may connect to and/or be in signal communication with oneor more controllers of the transportation vehicle 108 (e.g., to provideinformation regarding fuel storage tanks 102, such as a level within thefuel storage tanks 102, to the one or more controllers of thetransportation vehicle 108).

CO₂ may be loaded onto the dual-fluid vessel 104 from the CO₂ storagetanks 106 using one or more external hoses. In other embodiments, theCO₂ may be from a source other than transportation vehicles, the beingpicked up from such a source and transported, via the dual-fluid vessel104, to another location. In an embodiment, one or more controllers maybe positioned and/or configured to measure characteristics (e.g.,pressure, temperature, and/or level within the CO₂ storage tanks 106 viaone or more sensors or probes associated with the CO₂ storage tanks 106)of the CO₂ storage tanks 106. Further, the one or more controllers ofthe CO₂ storage tanks 106 or the location may connect to and/or be insignal communication with one or more controllers of the transportationvehicle 108 (e.g., to provide information regarding CO₂ storage tanks106, such as level within the CO₂ storage tanks 106, to the one or morecontrollers of the transportation vehicle 108).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the semi-tractor218 may include a dual-fluid vessel 202 configured to connect to thetruck trailer 212, as shown in FIG. 2 . The dual-fluid vessel 202 may befixedly or removably attached to the truck trailer 212. In anotherembodiment, the dual-fluid vessel 202 may be integral or integrated withthe truck trailer 212. The semi-tractor 218 may transport the fuel andCO₂ (or other emissions stored at a location) from and/or to varyinglocations. The dual-fluid vessel 202 may have an outer shell 214including an outer surface 215 and an inner surface 217. The dual-fluidvessel 202 may further include two or more inner compartments such as,at least, a first inner compartment 208 and a second inner compartment210 positioned within the outer shell 214. The dual-fluid vessel 202 maybe configured to store and/or compatible with fuel and CO₂. In otherembodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 202 may be compatible to store otherfluids. For example, rather than or in addition to storing CO₂, thedual-fluid vessel 202 may store engine exhaust captured fromtransportation vehicles.

In some embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 202, as noted, may bedetachable or removable from the truck trailer 212. The second innercompartment 210 may have a portion of surface area secured, attached, orconnected to the inner surface 217 of the outer shell 214. A portion ofthe surface area of the second inner compartment 210 may be secured,attached, or connected to a side wall 219 (e.g., the side wall 219 inproximity to the cab of the semi-tractor 218 or the side wall 219furthest from the cab of the semi-tractor 218) of the inner surface 217of the outer shell 214, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. In other embodiments,a portion of the second inner compartment 210 may be secured, attached,or connected to a bottom wall 223 or floor of the inner surface 217 ofthe outer shell 214, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Such an attachment orconnection between the inner surface 217 of the outer shell 214 and thesecond inner compartment 210 may be mechanical (e.g., bolts, fasteners,welds, etc.) or adhesive.

The truck trailer 212 and/or the semi-tractor 218 may be designed, forexample, to support, store, or contain a maximum of 80,000 pounds (lb.),including or excluding the empty weight of the dual-fluid vessel 202, tomeet Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications. In someinstances, the truck trailer 212 and/or the semi-tractor 218 may bedesigned to support, store, or contain a maximum of 120,000 pounds or amaximum weight, including or excluding the empty weight of thedual-fluid vessel 202, that aligns with DOT standards or exceptions. Thedual-fluid vessel 202 may be designed to meet the DOT and/or maritimespecifications for shipping, rail system, or road transportation.

The dual-fluid vessel 202 may further be designed or configured tominimize shifting of the fluid contained therein during transportation.The outer surface 215 and inner surface 217 of the outer shell 214 ofthe dual-fluid vessel 202 may be designed to evenly distribute theweight of the fluid during transport. For example, the dual-fluid vessel202 may have an obround, oblong, spherical, cylindrical, or other shapeconfigured to prevent tipping based on movement of fluid therein.

The first inner compartment 208 may be configured to store CO₂. The CO₂may be included, along with other fluids, in captured exhaust from amotorist vehicle that is then compressed. The CO₂ may flow through acompressor at a location where the CO₂ may be converted into a liquid.The exhaust may also be converted into a liquid through temperaturechanges and/or through a catalyst. In other embodiments, the capturedCO₂ may come from a crude CO₂ source, e.g., such as a refineryby-product. In some embodiments, the first inner compartment 208 may becompatible with CO₂ and/or fuel. In other embodiments, the first innercompartment 208 may be compatible with CO₂. The first inner compartment208 may store and/or be configured to be compatible with fuel.

In one or more embodiments, the first inner compartment 208 may beconfigured to withstand a selected pressure range. The selected pressuremay be at least at or above the critical point of CO₂ at a firstselected pressure. In one or more embodiments, the first innercompartment 208 may be maintained at a first selected temperature. Thefirst selected temperature may be at or below the critical point of CO₂.In other embodiments, the transportation vehicle 200 may also include arefrigeration unit for transporting liquid CO₂. The refrigeration unitmay be connected to the first inner compartment 208 to hold or maintainthe first inner compartment 208 at a first selected pressure and at atemperature below the first selected temperature. The refrigeration unitmay be connected to the first inner compartment 208 and second innercompartment 210.

The first inner compartment 208 may fill the entire dual-fluid vessel202. The first inner compartment 208 may fill a portion of thedual-fluid vessel 202. The liquid CO₂ may be high pressure liquid CO₂ orlow pressure liquid CO₂. High pressure liquid CO₂ may be produced asdescribed above with compressing the gaseous CO₂ to about 70 bars ofpressure and then cooling it to about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowpressure liquid CO₂ may be produced by expanding high pressure CO₂ to alower pressure or by refrigeration to about 21 bars of pressure andtemperature of about −0.4 degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, thefirst inner compartment 208 and second inner compartment 210 may bedesigned and/or configured (e.g., constructed of a specified material asa specified shape to withstand a pressure range) high pressure liquidCO₂ or low pressure liquid CO₂. Such a specified material may bedesigned to expand and contract.

In one or more embodiments, the second inner compartment 210 may storefuel. In some embodiments, the second inner compartment 210 may be abladder. In such embodiments, the first inner compartment 208 may bedefined by the space within the outer shell 214 or the space within theinner surface 217 of the outer shell 214. Further, the bladder may bepositioned within the first inner compartment 208. The bladder may befilled with fuel. The bladder may have a portion of the surface areasecured within the outer shell 214, thereby causing expansion, duringfueling, in one direction in the dual-fluid vessel 202 as shown in FIGS.2A and 2B. The bladder may be comprised of a material including a levelof elasticity, thus causing the bladder to expand, during filling, andto fill the dual-fluid vessel 202 including the first inner compartment208. The bladder may fill the entire dual-fluid vessel 202 when filled(e.g., such that the bladder is adjacent to each side wall 219, theupper wall 221, and the bottom wall 223). The bladder may fill a portionof the dual-fluid vessel 202 (e.g., such as when the bladder ispartially filled). The expansion of the bladder may be dependent on theamount of fuel (or, in another embodiment, CO₂) in the bladder. Thebladder may be made of material compatible with fuel (and/or, in anotherembodiment, CO₂), such that the material does not deteriorate aftercontinued exposure to fuel. The bladder may additionally be compatiblewith CO₂, such that the bladder does not deteriorate and/or becomebrittle after continued exposure to CO₂ and/or nitrogen, particularlyCO₂ maintained at low temperatures and in a liquid state.

The bladder may be comprised of a rubber material, a polymer material,and/or a plastic material, such as, for example, a woven polyolefin. Thedual-fluid vessel 202 may be comprised of a metal, such as stainlesssteel, aluminum, SA 517 steel, and/or other materials. The thickness ofthe dual-fluid vessel 202 may be selected based on the operatingparameters of liquid CO₂ or other fluid to be stored in the dual-fluidvessel 202. The operating parameters may include temperature rangesand/or pressure ranges at which CO₂ or other fluids are and/or remain ina liquid state. The thicknesses of the dual-fluid vessel 202 maycomprise about 0.1 inches, about 0.2 inches, about 0.3 inches, about 0.4inches, about 0.5 inches, or about 1 inch or more. The diameter of thedual-fluid vessel 202 may be about 5 feet, about 6 feet, about 7 feet,or about 8 feet at the widest portion of the dual-fluid vessel 202. Inanother embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel may be an obround shape, anoblong shape, a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, or another shapeconfigured to withstand a specified pressure and/or maintain a specifiedpressure range.

In an embodiment, pressure within the first inner compartment 208 may becontrolled via a pressure regulation device. The pressure regulationdevice may be or include an external compressor, pump, or other deviceconfigured to increase pressure within a space. The external compressormay be positioned on or proximate the dual-fluid vessel or on the trucktrailer 212. In addition, pressure regulation device may include apressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve may be positioned onthe dual-fluid vessel. The pressure relief valve may be automaticallyand/or manually actuatable. Further, the dual-fluid vessel 202 mayinclude a pressure regulator and/or monitoring device. The pressureregulator and/or monitoring device may substantially continuouslymonitor pressure within the dual-fluid vessel 202, the first innercompartment 208, and/or the second inner compartment 210. If thepressure within the one or more of the dual-fluid vessel 202, the firstinner compartment 208, and/or the second inner compartment 210 isoutside of a threshold pressure range (e.g., the pressure at which theliquid within the first inner component and/or second inner component ata current temperature experiences a phase change to a solid or gas),then the compressor may activate to increase pressure within the firstinner compartment 208 and/or second inner compartment 210 or thepressure relief valve may bleed or release pressure within the tank todecrease pressure. For example, if liquid CO₂ is stored within the firstinner compartment 208 at a specified temperature, then, if the pressuremoves outside of a correlated pressure range, pressure may be released(e.g., via a relief valve to decrease pressure) or pressure may beincreased (e.g., via a compressor or other device to increase pressure).

In other embodiments, when a portion of the fuel in the bladder isoffloaded and a CO₂ is added to the first inner compartment 208, thedual-fluid vessel 202 may contain fuel in the bladder, while the bladdermay be substantially surrounded by CO₂. The bladder may contract,rescind in size, or retract as the fuel is removed from the bladder. Thebladder may comprise various sizes, based on, for example, the overallsize of the dual-fluid vessel 202. In another embodiment, the bladdermay be removable from the dual-fluid vessel 202.

In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel 202 may also include insulation206. The insulation 206 may be positioned between the inner surface 217and the two or more inner compartments, positioned on the outer surface215 and covered, in an example, by a shell or jacket to protect theinsulation from the environment, or positioned between the outer surface215 and inner surface 217. The insulation 206 may provide temperatureregulation for the CO₂, and in some examples the fuel, when positionedin the respective first and second inner compartments 208, 210. Theinsulation may be polyurethane foam or an equivalent material and/or ashell or jacket.

In some embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 202 may include a vaporbarrier. The vapor barrier may provide a barrier for and/or collectvapors formed during transportation and/or potentially emitted duringloading and/or offloading. For example, port 204, 216 may include avapor barrier.

The embodiment of the dual-fluid vessel 202 may further include one ormore ports 204, 216. Each port 204, 216 may have an opening in andthrough the outer shell 214 and a fluid pathway to one or more of thefirst inner compartment 208 or the second inner compartment 210. Theports 204, 216 may be positioned at other locations along the outershell 214, such as along one of the sides, at the rear, and/or at thetop of the outer shell 214, among other locations. For example, port 204may be positioned on the side of the dual-fluid vessel 202 to preventthe bladder from obstructing offloading/loading operations. Ports 204,216 may be located in positions accessible for operators. The ports 204,216 may provide fluid communication to one or more of the first innercompartment 208 or the second inner compartment 210 thereby to providefluid communication through the opening and a fluid pathway forloading/offloading one or more of the fuel or CO₂, as shown in FIG. 2 .In such embodiments, the hose may include or connect to a nozzleconfigured to offload selected fluids. Based on the type of fluid,specified components may be included downstream of the dual-fluid vessel202 to pump and/or receive the fluids stored within a correspondingcompartment. The ports 204, 216 may form a tight seal with the one ormore hoses connected to the dual-fluid vessel 202. The one or more ports204, 216 may be used to purge the first inner compartment 208 and thesecond inner compartment 210 of residual material. The ports 204, 216may include valves or other flow control devices to prevent fluid fromflowing therethrough during transportation and/or prior tooffloading/loading operations.

In an embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel 202 may comprise a new vessel(e.g., a new vessel constructed with at least two inner compartments) ormay comprise a retrofitted vessel. A retrofitted vessel may include anexisting vessel configured to transport fuel or other fluids. A secondinner compartment (e.g., such as a bladder, flexible compartment, orinflexible compartment) may be added to and/or installed in or on theexisting vessel, thus a previous single-use vessel may be converted to adual-fluid vessel.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, in one or more embodiments, the system 300Amay include a semi-tractor 314. The semi-tractor 314 may further includea fuel pump 318. The fuel pump 318 may be used to pump the fuel into thebladder. Additionally, the fuel pump 318 may be used to remove the fuelfrom the bladder to fuel tanks at a location.

In some embodiments, the semi-tractor 314 may also include a CO₂ pump322. The CO₂ pump 322 may be used to load CO₂ from the CO₂ storage tanksinto the first inner compartment 308. In other embodiments, the CO₂ pump322 may be used offload the CO₂ at a location. The fuel pump 318 and CO₂pump 322 may be a diaphragm pump or a mechanical pump, for example, aswill be understood by those skilled in the art. The CO₂ pump 322 maymove CO₂ from the CO₂ storage tanks into the first inner compartment 308at a selected pressure. In other embodiments, the selected pressure maydisplace the fuel, thus causing the fuel to flow out of the bladder. Insuch embodiments, as the first inner compartment 308 fills with CO₂, thepressure of the incoming CO₂ may displace the fuel, causing the fuel toflow out of the bladder and into the fuel tanks.

In some embodiments, the bladder may be offloaded using the pressurefrom filling the first inner compartment 308 with CO₂ to displace thefuel out of the bladder into nearby fuel storage tanks. In suchembodiments, CO₂ is first loaded into the first inner compartment 308.Utilizing the pressure of the CO₂ against the bladder, the bladder maycontract, rescind in size, or retract as the fuel flows out of the port304 for the second inner compartment 310. Such embodiments may furtherinclude a control valve(s), flow control devices, or other dynamiccontrol devices downstream of the bladder that are connected to thebladder and the fuel storage tanks to control the flow and/or pressurefrom the displacement of the fuel within the bladder into the fuelstorage tanks. In this embodiment, the fuel pump 318 may not beutilized, however the CO₂ pump 322 may be utilized to fill the firstinner compartment 308 and therefore displace the fuel. In someembodiments, the first compartment may be filled with nitrogen (N₂) tocompletely fill the tank during transport (e.g., such as when thebladder is partially filled and the first inner compartment 308 ispartially filled). In another embodiment, offloading/loading operationsmay occur separately and/or sequentially. In other words, CO₂ may beloaded or offloaded first, then a transportation fuel may be offloadedfrom or loaded onto the dual-fluid vessel 302.

One or more external hoses may be used to connect the CO₂ storage tanksto the port 324 to fill the first inner compartment 308 with CO₂ usingone or more external hoses. Each of the one or more hoses may have aproximal end portion attached to a first adapter and a distal endportion attached to a second adapter. The proximal end portion of thehose may be positioned such that the first inner compartment 308 and theCO₂ pump 322 are in fluid communication. In other embodiments, theproximal end portion of the hose may be positioned such that the firstinner compartment 308 and an external pump at the location are in fluidcommunication. The proximal end portion of the hose may be positionedsuch that the second inner compartment 310 and the fuel pump 318 are influid communication. In other embodiments, the proximal end portion ofthe hose may be positioned such that the second inner compartment 310and an external pump at the location are in fluid communication. Thefirst adapter may be configured to interlock with the ports 304, 324.The first adapter may, when connected to or interlocked with the port304, 324, form a tight seal with the port 304, 324 to transport fuel andCO₂ at various pressures and temperatures.

The distal end portion of the hose may be positioned such that CO₂ mayflow therethrough to the CO₂ storage tanks of the one or more storagetanks. The distal end portion of the hose may be positioned such thatfuel may flow therethrough to the fuel storage tanks of the one or morestorage tanks. The second adapter may interlock with an outlet of thefuel storage tanks and the CO₂ storage tanks. The second adapter may,when connected to or interlocked with the outlet of the fuel storagetanks or CO₂ tanks, form a tight seal with the outlet of the fuelstorage tanks or the CO₂ storage tanks.

In some embodiments the semi-tractor 314 may further contain or includeone or more digital gauges 328. The one or more digital gauges 328 maydisplay one or more of pressures, flowrates, temperature, otherthermodynamic properties, and/or the compartment level in the two ormore inner compartments. The one or more digital gauges may bepositioned adjacent to and/or proximate to (and/or, in an embodiment, insignal communication with) one or more controllers (e.g., one or morecontrollers 320). The one or more controllers and/or sensors or probespositioned throughout the dual-fluid vessel 302 may provide values forthe digital gauges to display.

The embodiment of system 300A may further include one or morecontrollers 320 or a control system. The one or more controllers 320 maybe configured to control the offloading/loading operation of the fueland CO₂. The one or more controllers 320 may include or may be in signalcommunication with a user interface configured to allow an operator toselect offloading/loading operations of the fuel and CO₂. The fuel pump318, in fluid communication with and/or to adjust the flow of the fuel,may be controlled by the one or more controllers 320. Additionally, theCO₂ pump 322, in fluid communication with and/or to adjust the flow ofthe CO₂, may also be controlled by the one or more controllers 320. Theone or more controllers 320 may include a fail-safe switch to turn offthe fuel pump 318 when the bladder reaches a selected capacity. The oneor more controllers 320 may further include a fail-safe switch to turnoff the fuel pump 318 and the CO₂ pump 322 during the offloading andloading process when the compartment level of the first innercompartment 308 or the second inner compartment 310 reaches a selectedthreshold level(s). In other embodiments, the one or more controllers320 may control the refrigeration unit. In such embodiments, the CO₂and/or fuel may be in a state (e.g., liquid or gaseous) such that thetemperature is maintained within a preselected threshold range. The oneor more controllers 320 may be in signal communication to determine thetemperature of the CO₂ and/or fuel, and if the CO₂ and/or fuel isoutside of the preselected threshold range, the one or more controllers320 may cause the refrigeration unit to operate or cease operation(e.g., to cool or cease cooling). In some embodiments, the one or morecontrollers 320 may control the flow from the nitrogen storage vesselsto the first inner compartment 308. In such embodiments, the one or morecontrollers 320 may be in signal communication with one or more sensorsto determine a current capacity of, for example, the first innercompartment 308 and/or second inner compartment 310. If the capacity isoutside of a preselected capacity range, then the one or morecontrollers 320 may cause nitrogen to flow into the first innercompartment 308. Thus, the first inner compartment 308 may be filled inrelation to the current capacity of the second inner compartment 310.Such an embodiment may prevent the second inner compartment 310 frommoving during transportation.

In some embodiments, the system 300B may include a semi-tractor 314 withan attached dual-fluid vessel 302 a second inner compartment A 310A, asecond inner compartment B 310B, a first inner compartment A 308A, afirst inner compartment B 308B, and a fixed portion 330, as illustratedin FIG. 3B. The second inner compartment A 310A and second innercompartment B310B may be comprised of two expanding bladders is fixed tothe fixed portion 330 within the outer surface area of the dual-fluidvessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may be positioned at a center locationwithin the length of the dual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330may be positioned to the left of the center location within the lengthof the dual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may be positioned tothe right of the center location within the length of the dual-fluidvessel 302. In an embodiment, the fixed portion 330 may be integratedinto the dal-fluid vessel or attached or connected to the inner surfaceof the outer shell of the dual-fluid vessel 302. The two bladders mayexpand into the first inner compartment A 308A or first innercompartment B308B. The second inner compartment A 310A may fill thespace of the first inner compartment 308A when the bladder is expanded.The second inner compartment B 310B may fill the space of the firstinner compartment B 308B when the bladder is expanded. The two bladdersmay be connected to or may be a part of the fixed portion 330. In otherwords, the fixed portion 330 and the two bladders may be a singlecomponent that may be fixed or attached to the inside of the dual-fluidvessel 302.

The second inner compartment A 310A may be filled independently of thesecond inner compartment B 310B using port 338. The second innercompartment B 310B may be filled independently of the second innercompartment A 310A using port 336. The first inner compartment A 308Amay be filled independently of the first inner compartment B 308B usingport 324. The first inner compartment B 308B may be filled independentlyof the first inner compartment A 308A using port 304.

In another embodiment, the system 300C may include a dual-fluid vessel302 having a second inner compartment A 310A, a second inner compartmentB 310B, a first inner compartment A 308A, a first inner compartment B308B, a fixed portion 330, and one or more springs 332A, 332B asillustrated in FIG. 3C. The second inner compartment A 310A and Thesecond inner compartment B 310B may be designed as described in FIG. 3B.The one or more springs 332A, 332B may further control the bladderdynamics during loading/unloading operations. The one or more spring332A, 332B may be controlled by the one or more controllers 320. Forexample, as the second inner compartment A 310A is filled with fuel, thespring 332A may retract as the fuel in the second inner compartment A310A applies pressure to the spring 332A to retract the spring 332A. Asthe second inner compartment B 308B rescinds back to a static position,the spring 332B releases to retract the second inner compartment 310B.In another embodiment, the one or more springs 332A, 332B may beconfigured to constantly apply force to the bladder, such that when thebladder is empty, each of the springs 332, 332B are in a decompressedstate and the bladder does not move. In such embodiments, the one ormore springs 332A, 332B may be configured so that when a bladder isbeing emptied, the one or more springs 332A, 332B may provide forcesufficient to cause each bladder to be emptied or to continue to beemptied, for example, without the use of a pump.

In such embodiments, the one or more springs 332A, 332B may becompression springs or constant force springs. Further, a distal end ofeach of the one or more springs may be connected to an inner surface ofeach side wall of the dual fluid vessel. Each of the one or more springsmay connect, attach, or be mounted to the inner surface of each sidewall. For example, if a constant force spring is utilized, a cavitymount may be positioned on the inner surface of each end wall. Inanother example, two constant force springs may be positioned in aback-to-back configuration and mounted in such a configuration on theinner surface of each end wall. In yet another example, a compressionspring may be mounted on a plate and the plate attached to the innersurface of each end wall. Further, the distal end of each spring may beadjacent to and/or attached to the bladder. The system 300C may includeadditional springs mounted in various configurations, including, but notlimited to, two side-by-side compression springs. The mounts or platesattached to the inner surface of each side wall may be attachedmechanically, such as via fasteners (e.g., via welds, bolts, etc.). Inan embodiment, other configurations of the dual-fluid vessel 302 mayinclude similar springs and mountings, such as the dual-fluid vesselillustrated in FIG. 3A (e.g., the spring may be mount on the innersurface of the top wall of the dual-fluid vessel).

In an embodiment, each of the springs 332A, 332B may be coated with orcomprised of a material configured to withstand corrosion ordeterioration when exposed to CO₂, fuel, low temperatures, and/or highand/or low pressure.

The fixed portion 330 may be positioned at a center location within thelength of the dual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may bepositioned to the left of the center location within the length of thedual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may be positioned to theright of the center location within the length of the dual-fluid vessel302. The two bladders may expand into the first inner compartment A 308Aand the first inner compartment B 308B. The two bladders 310A, 310B maybe filled with fuel. The two bladders may be completely filled orpartially filled. One of the two bladders may be completely filled orpartially filled, while the other bladder is empty.

The second inner compartment A 310A may be filled independently of thesecond inner compartment B 310B using port 338. The second innercompartment B 310B may be filled independently of the second innercompartment A 310A using port 336. The first inner compartment A 308Amay be filled independently of the first inner compartment B 308B usingport 324. The first inner compartment B 308B may be filled independentlyof the first inner compartment A 308A using port 304.

In other embodiments, system 300D may include a semi-tractor 314 with anattached dual-fluid vessel 302 having a second inner compartment A 310A,a second inner compartment B 310B, a first inner compartment A 308A, afirst inner compartment B 308B, a fixed portion 330, and a hydraulicsystem 334A, 334B or hydraulic subsystem or device, as illustrated inFIG. 3D. In another embodiment, rather than a hydraulic system 334A,334B or hydraulic subsystem or device, the dual-fluid vessel may includea pneumatic device or electronically controlled device. The second innercompartment A 310A and second inner compartment B 310B may be comprisedof two expanding bladders secured to a fixed portion 330 within theouter surface of the dual-fluid vessel 302. The hydraulic system 334A,334B may further control the bladder dynamics during loading orunloading operations. The hydraulic system 334A, 334B may be controlledby the one or more controllers 320 as a function of bladder 310A, 310Band/or flow of fluids into and/or out of the dual-fluid vessel 302. Forexample, as the second inner compartment A 310A is filled with fuel, thehydraulic system may retract as the fuel in the second inner compartmentA 310A applies pressure to the hydraulic system 334A. As the secondinner compartment B 308B rescinds back to a static position, thehydraulic system 334B releases to retract the second inner compartment310B. A detailed view of the hydraulic system is illustrated in FIG. 3E.

The hydraulic system 334A, 334B or hydraulic subsystem or device may becomprised of various components positioned within and external to thedual-fluid vessel 302. For example, the hydraulic system 334A, 334B mayinclude a reservoir (e.g., to contain an amount of fluid), a pump topower the hydraulic system 334A, 334B, various valves (e.g., to controlfluid flow through the hydraulic system 334A, 334B), actuators (e.g., toapply pressure to the bladder), and/or pressure regulators. Similarcomponents may be utilized for pneumatic and/or electronicallycontrolled systems and/or devices. In an embodiment, the actuator of thehydraulic system 334A, 334B may be positioned within the dual-fluidsystem 302 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3D and 3E). The actuator may connectto the reservoir via conduit, hoses, or pipes, and pumps and/or valves.In an embodiment, the reservoir; conduit, hoses, or pipes; and pumpsand/or valves may be positioned external to the dual-fluid vessel 302.Such components may be attached to the transportation vehicle, theexterior of the dual-fluid vessel 302, or a trailer that the dual-fluidvessel 302 is positioned on. In such an embodiment, the conduit, hoses,or pipes may connect to the actuator through the outer surface of thedual-fluid vessel 302.

The fixed portion 330 may be positioned at a center location within thelength of the dual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may bepositioned to the left of the center location within the length of thedual-fluid vessel 302. The fixed portion 330 may be positioned to theright of the center location within the length of the dual-fluid vessel302. The two bladders may expand into the first inner compartment A 308Aand the first inner compartment B 308B. The second inner compartment A310A and the second inner compartment B 310B, may fill the space of thefirst inner compartment A 308A and the first inner compartment B 308B,respectively, when the bladder is expanded. The two bladders may befilled with fuel. The two bladders may be completely filled or partiallyfilled. One of the two bladders may be completely filled or partiallyfilled while the other bladder is empty.

In another embodiment, an air vent may be fixed to the fixed portion 330to introduce air into the bladder 310A, 310B to avoid cavitation and/orto provide a pressure release (e.g., in case of pressure exceeding thebladder's pressure rating).

In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the semi-tractor 416may have a dual-fluid vessel 408 having an outer shell 414 including anouter surface. The dual-vessel 408 may have two or more innercompartments including a first inner compartment 410 and second innercompartment 412 positioned within the outer shell 414. The first innercompartment 410 and second inner compartment 412 may be substantiallyfixed in a position. In other embodiments, an outer insulation 418, 420may be positioned between the outer surface and the two or more innercompartments to provide temperature regulation for the first and secondinner compartments 410, 412.

The first inner compartment 410 and the second inner compartment 412 maybe fixed in size within the outer shell 414. The first inner compartment410 may be sized larger than the second inner compartment 410. Thesecond inner compartment 412 may be sized larger than the first innercompartment 412. The first inner compartment 410 and second innercompartment 412 may be the same size. The dual-fluid vessel 408 maytransport the fuel and CO₂ simultaneously.

The embodiment of the dual-fluid vessel 408 may further include one ormore ports 404, 422. Each of the one or more ports 404, 422 may have anopening in and through the outer shell 414 and a fluid pathway with thefirst inner compartment 410 or the second inner compartment 412. The oneor more ports 404, 422 may provide fluid communication between the firstinner compartment 410 and CO₂ through the opening for offloading orloading of CO₂. Additionally, the port 404 may provide fluidcommunication between the second inner compartment 412 and fuel throughthe opening for loading or offloading of the fuel.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , in one or more embodiments, the dual-fluidvessel 508 may further include a fuel pump 502 that may connect to thesecond inner compartment 512. In some embodiments, one or more externalhoses may connect to the second inner compartment 512. The fuel pump 502may be used to pump the fuel into the second inner compartment 512.Additionally, the fuel pump 502 may be used to remove the fuel fromsecond inner compartment 510 to the fuel storage tanks at a location.The port 504 extending into the opening in the second inner compartment512 may be used to offload or load fuel.

In some embodiments, the semi-tractor 524 may also include a CO₂ pump516. One or more external hoses may be used to connect the CO₂ storagetanks to fill the first inner compartment 510 with CO₂ through the port506. The one or more external hoses may have a proximal end portionattached to a first adapter and a distal end portion attached to asecond adapter. The proximal end portion may be positioned to be influid communication therebetween the first inner compartment 510 and theCO₂ pump 516. The distal end portion may be positioned to be in fluidcommunication with CO₂ tanks of the one or more storage tanks. Theproximal end portion may also be positioned to be in fluid communicationtherebetween the first inner compartment 510 and the CO₂ pump 516. Thedistal end portion may be positioned to be in fluid communication withCO₂ storage tanks. The distal end portion and proximal end of the one ormore hoses may include locking mechanisms. The locking mechanisms mayensure the pressure of the CO₂ remains above the critical point. Inanother embodiment, the distal end portion of one of the external hosesmay comprise a nozzle connector configured to assist with or enableremoval of CO₂ from the vessel when positioned in the first innercompartment.

In some embodiments, a CO₂ piping may be positioned adjacent to thedual-fluid vessel 508. The CO₂ piping may connect to the first innercompartment 510 through an opening extending into the first innercompartment 510. CO₂ may be removed from the first inner compartmentthrough the port 506 extending through the outer shell of the dual-fluidvessel 508 into the first inner compartment 510. CO₂ may further beremoved using the CO₂ piping.

The semi-tractor 524 may further contain one or more digital gauges 526.The digital gauges 526 may display one or more of pressures, flow rates,or the compartment level in the two or more inner compartments.

An embodiment of system 500 may further include one or more controllers522. The one or more controllers 522 may be configured to control theoffloading or loading operation of the fuel and CO₂. The one or morecontrollers 522 may include or may be in signal communication with auser interface configured to allow an operator to selectoffloading/loading operations of the fuel and CO₂. The fuel pump 502 influid communication with the fuel may be controlled by the one or morecontrollers 522. Additionally, the CO₂ pump 516 in fluid communicationwith the CO₂ may also be controlled by the one or more controllers 522.The one or more controllers 522 may include a fail-safe switch to turnoff the fuel pump 502 when the second inner compartment 512 reaches aselected threshold level or pressure. The one or more controllers 522may further include a fail-safe switch to turn off the fuel pump 502 andthe CO₂ pump 516 during the offloading process when the compartmentlevel of the first inner compartment 510 reaches a selected thresholdlevel or pressure.

The embodiment of system 500 may include sensors. The sensors maymeasure some characteristic of the system 500 and communicate the datato the one or more controllers 522. The sensors may send or transmit asignal to the one or more controllers 522, the signal indicative of somecharacteristic (e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.). The one or morecontrollers 522 may send an alert to notify an operator when thepressure (e.g., measured or indicated by a sensor) of the first innercompartment 510 and second inner compartment 512 is above a selectedthreshold or below a selected threshold. The one or more controllers 522may also send alerts for temperature and level inside the first innercompartment and second inner compartment. The system may further includemeters. The meters may monitor the flowrate of the fuel and CO₂ duringthe offloading and loading process. The sensors and meters may be insignal communication with the one or more controllers 522.

In other embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel may be positioned on amarine vessel 602, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. The marine vessel 602 maytransport the stored fuel and CO₂ from the dual-fluid vessel in offshorebunkers to hold for future use or transport to offshore sequestrationsite(s). In some embodiments, fuel may be offloaded from the secondinner compartment 612 on the marine vessel 602 with a stationed pipe 610connected to the marine vessel 602 that may attach to the fuel storage608. A fuel pump on the marine vessel 602 may pump the fuel from thesecond inner compartment 612 to the fuel storage 608. In otherembodiments, fuel may be loaded from the fuel storage 608 to the marinevessel 602 into the fuel bunker 612. In another embodiment, the secondinner compartment may be a bladder. In other embodiments, the secondinner compartment 612 and the first inner compartment 614 may be filledwith fuel. In some embodiments, the second inner compartments 612 may bea bladder. The bladder may expand to fill the first inner compartment614.

In some embodiments, CO₂ may be offloaded from the CO₂ bunker 606 on themarine vessel 602 with a stationed pipe 604 connected to the marinevessel 602 that may attach to the CO₂ storage 606. A CO₂ pump on themarine vessel 602 may pump the CO₂ from the first inner compartment 606to the CO₂ storage 614. In other embodiments, CO₂ may be loaded from theCO₂ storage 606 to the marine vessel 602 into the first innercompartment 614. In another embodiment, the first inner compartment 614and the second inner compartment 612 may be filled with CO₂.

In some embodiments, the transportation vehicle, e.g., the marine vessel602, may be configured to carry both fuel and CO₂ at separate times inthe same tank. In this embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel may comprise aninner compartment. The inner compartment may be the entire dual-fluidvessel. The transportation vehicle may transport fuel in the innercompartment to a location. One or more external hoses may be used tooffload the fuel from the inner compartment. Nitrogen may be usedbetween offloading the fuel and loading the CO₂ to purge the innercompartment of any remaining fuel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the marine vessel620, including one or more dual-fluid vessels 622, 624, 626, maytransport fuel and carbon dioxide as illustrated in FIG. 6B. The one ormore dual-fluid vessels 622, 624, 626 may each have an outer shellincluding an outer surface. The one or more dual-fluid vessels 622, 624,626 may further include two or more inner compartments including a firstinner compartment 634 and a second inner compartment 632 positionedwithin the outer shell. The one or more dual-fluid vessels 622, 624, 626may be compatible with liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleumgas (LPG), or other liquid fuel and CO₂. The one or more dual-fluidvessels 622, 624, 626 may be designed having high-pressure bearingcapacity and lower inner temperature, which may include fullypressurized vessel(s), semi-pressurized and refrigerated vessel(s), andfully refrigerated vessel(s). The one or more dual-fluid vessels 622,624, 626 may be designed with multiple spherical tanks, self-supportingprismatic tank(s), membranes, waffles, or barriers which could beconstructed with Invar, Triplex, and other suitable alloys. The one ormore dual-fluid vessels 622, 624, 626 may be designed to handle both LNGor other liquid fuel and CO₂, whereas nitrogen or another inert gas maybe used to displace residual LNG or other liquid fuel after unloadingand prior to filling the vessel with CO₂. Such embodiments may includetransportation across domestic and foreign boundaries.

In an embodiment, the marine vessel 620 may be a Moss type vessel (e.g.,as illustrated in FIG. 6B). or a membrane type vessel. The Moss typevessel may include one or more tanks. As noted, the tanks may bedual-fluid vessels configured to hold or contain different fuels,liquids, or gases, as well as liquid CO₂. In another embodiment, theMoss type vessel may include a number of tanks (e.g., three tanks, fourtanks, five tanks, etc.). In such an embodiment, one or more of thetanks may be configured to hold or contain different fuels, liquids, orgases, as well as liquid CO₂. In other words, the pressure and/ortemperature rating for those tanks may be higher or lower than othertanks on the Moss type vehicle. However, such dual-fluid tanks mayinclude an increased weight (e.g., due to materials used to constructthose tanks). In a further embodiment, those tanks may be comprised ofstainless steel, while the remaining tanks may be comprised of aluminum.Since stainless steel is heavier than aluminum, the dual-fluid tanks maybe positioned at selected portions of the Moss type vessel to evenlydistribute the additional weight. For example, the second and fourthtanks of five total tanks may be comprised of stainless steel, while thefirst, third, and fifth tanks may be comprised of aluminum. In suchembodiments, all the tanks may be filled for a fuel delivery operation(e.g., filled with LNG, LPG, or other fluids). After delivering thosefuels, the two stainless steel tanks (e.g., which may be configured towithstand higher pressure and/or lower temperatures than that of analuminum tank) may be filled with liquid CO₂ for transport to a selectedlocation.

In another embodiment, the CO₂ may be offloaded from the marine vessel620 at a port (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6B) or at a preselectedoff-shore CO₂ sequestration site. The preselected off-shore CO₂sequestration site may comprise a platform or abandoned offshoredrilling rig. The marine vessel 620 may offload the CO₂ to the platformor abandoned offshore drilling rig, causing the CO₂ to flow into anabandoned well and/or designated CO₂ sequestration formation.

In another embodiment, the dual fluid vessel may be positioned on a raillocomotive 706, as illustrated in FIG. 7 . The rail locomotive 700 maytransport fuel and CO₂ in a dual-fluid vessel 704, 706, 708 to anotherlocation. In the embodiment, the second inner compartment may be abladder. The bladder may contain fuel. The bladder may expand to fillthe first inner compartment In other embodiments, the second innercompartment and the first inner compartment may be filled with fuel. Inanother embodiment, the first inner compartment and the second innercompartment may be filled with CO₂. In some embodiments, the first innercompartment may be filled with CO₂, nitrogen, or an inert gas.

In some embodiments, the bladder of the second inner compartment 810 isfull, as illustrated in FIG. 8A. In the embodiment, the first innercompartment 808 may not contain CO₂ during transportation to a locationto supply a location with fuel. After offloading such fuel, the firstinner compartment 808 may be filled with CO₂. When the bladder is filledwith fuel 812, the fuel 812 may fill a majority or substantially all ofthe space defined within the outer shell 804. The dual-fluid vessel mayfurther be surrounded by insulation 802 to control temperature withinthe second inner compartment 810 and for the first inner compartment808.

In other embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 806 may contain fuel 812 andliquid CO₂ 814, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. In such an embodiment, thebladder may be partially filled with fuel 812. The bladder of the secondinner compartment 810, may contract, rescind in size, retract, or shrinkas the fuel 812 is offloaded into the fuel storage tanks. Offloading thefuel 812 may occur simultaneously or substantially simultaneously as thefirst inner compartment 808 is filled with liquid CO₂ 814, emptying thespace within the bladder 810 as the bladder 810 contracts, rescinds,retracts, or shrinks.

In some embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 806 in system 800C, maycontain fuel 812 and nitrogen (N₂), as shown in FIG. 8C. The bladder ofthe second inner compartment 810, may contract, rescind in size,retract, or shrink as the fuel 812 is offloaded into the fuel storagetanks. At this time, the pressure in the bladder 810 may be greater thanthe pressure in the first inner compartment 808. In such an embodiment,the bladder of the second inner compartment 810 may be filled with fuel812. As the bladder contracts, rescinds in size, retracts, or shrinks,the first inner compartment 808 may be filled with N₂ 816, filling thespace of the bladder as the bladder rescinds in size, retracts, orshrinks. The addition of N₂ 816 equalizes the pressure between the firstinner compartment 808 and the second inner compartment 810 when thefirst inner compartment 808 is not filled with CO₂. N₂ 816 may be loadedinto the dual-fluid vessel 806 from nitrogen storage vessels 818 storedat the location and connected through a fluid conduit 830 to the firstinner compartment 808. The fluid conduit 830 may directly connect to thedual-fluid vessel 806. The fluid conduit 830 may have bi-directionalflow to and from the first inner compartment 808 and the nitrogenstorage vessels 818. In these embodiments, the nitrogen 816 may be usedto purge the first inner compartment 808 of any residual fluid thatpreviously filled the first inner compartment 808. In some embodiments,the first inner compartment 808 may be filled with fuel. The fuel mayinclude liquids and/or solids. To prevent cross-contamination ofdifferent fuels, nitrogen may purge first inner compartment 808 afteroffloading of fuel. The outer shell 804 of the dual-fluid vessel 806 mayalso be surrounded by insulation 802.

In other embodiments, on-board N₂ storage vessels 820 may supply N₂ tothe first inner compartment 808 from nitrogen storage vessels 818located on the semi-tractor, as illustrated in FIG. 8D. The N₂ 816 mayequalize the pressure between the second inner compartment 810 and thefirst inner compartment 808 when the first inner compartment 808 doesnot contain CO₂. N₂ 816 may be recycled back to the on-board N₂ storagevessels 820 when the second inner compartment 810 is emptied. A pressurerelief device 824 may be positioned on the dual-fluid vessel 806.

In one or more embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 906 in system 900A,may have a bladder 910 that is partially full, as shown in FIG. 9A.During transport, a bladder 910 that is partially full may move (e.g.,the fluid within the bladder 910 may move around irregularly, in anydirection, based on a transportation vehicles direction and speed, inother words the liquid may slosh within the bladder 910) around thedual-fluid vessel 906. Without CO₂ in the first inner compartment 908,the movement of the fluid within the bladder 910 may cause an imbalanceof the transportation vehicle or inadvertent wear of the bladder 910. Tominimize such movement of the fuel 912 inside the bladder 910, therebystabilizing the bladder 910, nitrogen storage vessels 914 at thelocation may be connected through a fluid conduit 920 or pipe to thefirst inner compartment 908. The fluid conduit 920 may directly connectto the dual-fluid vessel 906. The fluid conduit 920 may havebi-directional flow to and from the first inner compartment 908 and thenitrogen storage vessels 914. Nitrogen may also be supplied to thevessel from on-board nitrogen storage vessels located on thetransportation vehicle.

In other embodiments, the bladder 910 may have or include specificmaterial and engineering properties to safely store fuel. The bladder910 may contain or include fail safe controls. The bladder 910 may betested e.g., cycled between a retracted and expanded state thousands oftimes, to ensure the bladder 910 is capable of withstanding extendeduse. In some embodiments, the bladder 910 may have a sensor embeddedwithin the material to provide wear patterns, properties, etc. on andwithin the outer surface.

In some embodiments, the N₂ volume may be controlled by a control boardand logic and/or a controller as a function of the volume, pressure,temperature, and material of fuel 912 within the bladder 910 which ismeasured and known. The control board or controller may calculate thevolume of N₂ for the first inner compartment 908 to equalize thepressure within 906 by filling the first inner compartment 908 with N₂.Filling the second compartment 910 with a selected volume of N₂ mayoccur automatically based on the control board or controllercalculations. In other embodiments, the dual-fluid vessel 906 mayfurther include a pressure relief device that vents to the atmosphere.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9C and 9D, baffles 922 may be positioned withinthe outer shell to reduce movement of fluid within the dual-fluidvessel. As the bladder 910 expands within the dual-fluid vessel 902, thebladder 910 may expand around the each of the baffles 922, thuspreventing a partially filled bladder 910 from moving as atransportation vehicle transports the dual-fluid vessel 902. The baffles922 may be installed along the upper wall or portion of the outer shell904 of the dual-fluid vessel 902. The baffles 922 may be fixedly orremovably attached to the upper wall or portion of the outer shell 904of the dual-fluid vessel 902. The 922 baffles may be configured to allowthe bladder 910 to expand around the baffles. The baffles 922 mayinclude rollers to aid the bladder 910 in expanding around the baffles922. The baffles 922 may be solid bars or rods comprised of a material(e.g., plastic or metal) that is configured to withstand exposure tofuel and/or CO₂, low temperatures, and/or high and/or low pressure. Inan embodiment, the dual-fluid vessel may include one baffle, twobaffles, three baffles, four baffles, or more. In yet anotherembodiment, each of the baffles 922 may include holes or aperturespositioned at varying locations of each of the baffles 922. The holes orapertures of each of the baffles 922 may allow for fluid flow betweeneach of the baffles 922.

In FIG. 9B, the dual-vessel 906 in system 900B may have or include abladder 910 that is partially full and surrounded by nitrogen 916 in thefirst inner compartment 908. The nitrogen 916 may stabilize the bladder910 partially filled with fuel 912. Nitrogen 916 may be supplied to thefirst inner compartment 908 through a fluid conduit 920 that is directlyconnected to the dual-fluid vessel 906. The fluid conduit 920 may havebi-directional flow to and from the first inner compartment 908 and thenitrogen storage vessels 914. In other embodiments, the pressure fromthe nitrogen 916 may displace the fuel 912 from the bladder 910 into thefuel storage tanks at the location. A control valve may control the flowfrom the bladder into the fuel storage tanks. In some embodiments, oneor more external hoses may connect to the bladder 910 to direct the flowfrom the bladder 910 into the fuel storage tanks. In this embodiment,the system may utilize pressure and gravity to move the fuel 912. Inother embodiments, fuel pumps may move the fuel 912 into the storagetanks.

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to amethod of offloading or loading fuel and CO₂ at a location. FIG. 10 is asimplified block diagram for transporting fuel and CO₂. As described inthe present disclosure, blocks 1002, 1004, 1006, and 1008 are notrequired to be executed in order. The blocks may be performed atdifferent times or simultaneously. At block 1002, the method begins witha transportation vehicle with an attached dual-fluid vessel arriving ata location. The dual-fluid vessel may be filled with fuel. Thetransportation vehicle may arrive empty to the location.

At block 1004, the fuel may be offloaded from the transportationvehicle. In one or more embodiments, one or more external hoses may beused to connect the dual-fluid vessel to fuel storage tanks at thelocation. In other embodiments, a pump may be used to remove the fuelfrom the dual-fluid vessel and into the fuel storage tanks.

At block 1006, CO₂ may be loaded into the transportation vehicle. In oneor more embodiments, one or more external hoses may be used to connectthe dual-fluid vessel to the CO₂ storage tanks. In other embodiments, apump may be used to remove the CO₂ from the CO₂ storage tanks and intothe dual-fluid vessel. At block 1008, the transportation vehicle mayleave the location, transporting the CO₂ to another location. In someembodiments, the transportation vehicle leaves the location with fueland the CO₂.

In another embodiment, a controller or one or more controllers maydetermine an amount of CO₂ in the first inner compartment (e.g., via asensor or meter) and an amount of fuel in the second inner compartment(e.g., via another sensor or meter). The controller or one or morecontrollers may initiate an operation to fill the one or more fuelstorage tanks at a location or determine whether the operation to fillthe one or more fuel storage tanks at the location is initiated. Basedon such an initiation and the fuel tank level, the controller may send asignal to a fuel pump to begin pumping an amount of fuel from the secondinner compartment to the one or more fuel storage tanks at the location.The removal of fuel from the second inner compartment may cause thesecond inner compartment to contract. Further, the controller mayinitiate loading of an amount of the CO₂ into the first innercompartment, based on the amount of fuel in the second inner compartmentand the current amount of CO₂ in the first inner compartment.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method foroffloading/loading the fuel and CO₂ at a location. The method, forexample, also is described with reference to system 200 of FIG. 2 . Atblock 1102, the method may be initiated by a transportation vehiclearriving at a location. The transportation vehicle may be empty orfilled with fuel. The transportation vehicle may be stationed near theCO₂ storage tanks and fuel tanks.

At block 1004, an operator may confirm the contents of the dual-fluidvessel. The dual vessel may have two or more inner compartmentspositioned within the outer shell of the dual-fluid vessel. The firstinner compartment may contain CO₂. The second inner compartment maycontain fuel. At block 1106, if the dual-fluid vessel is filled withfuel, the operator may proceed to at block 1108 to connect one or moreexternal hoses to the fuel storage tanks, the fuel pump on thetransportation vehicle, and the second inner compartment. In otherembodiments, an external fuel pump may be stationed near the fuelstorage tanks at the location. At block 1106, if the second innercompartment is not filled with fuel, at block 1116, an operator mayconnect one or more external hoses to the CO₂ storage tanks and to theinlet of the CO₂ pump on the transportation vehicle. In otherembodiments, an external fuel pump may be stationed near the CO₂ storagetanks at the location. The external fuel pump may be connected to thefuel storage tanks and the second inner compartment to offload the fuel.

At block 1110, an operator may activate the one or more controllers onthe transportation vehicle. In some embodiments, the one or morecontrollers may control the fuel pump and the CO₂ pump. In otherembodiments, the one or more controllers may be configured to sendalerts when the pressure or temperature of the fuel or CO₂ reaches aselected threshold. Above the threshold, the one or more controllers mayactivate a fail-safe switch to turn off the pump or to stop the flow toor from the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment.

With the external hoses attached to the second inner compartment of thedual-fluid vessel, the fuel pump may be activated to offload fuel fromthe dual-fluid vessel to the fuel storage tanks, at block 1112. The fuelpump may run until the contents of the second inner compartment areempty or until the fuel storage tanks is full. In some embodiments, thesecond inner compartment may be partially full. In other embodiments,the fuel may be offloaded into the bladder of the second innercompartment, using the pressure from filling the first inner compartmentwith CO₂ to displace the fuel in the bladder into the fuel storagetanks. A control valve may regulate the flow from the bladder into thefuel storage tanks. The bladder may contract, rescind in size, retract,or shrink as the fuel is displaced with CO₂. In some embodiments, thefirst inner compartment may be filled with nitrogen.

At block 1114, the one or more external hoses may be disconnected fromthe fuel storage tanks and the second inner compartment. The one or moreexternal hoses may be exclusively used for offloading or loading fuel.

In other embodiments, after the operator at block 1108 connect one ormore external hoses to the fuel storage tanks, the fuel pump on thetransportation vehicle, and the second inner compartment where thesecond inner compartment is a bladder, an operator may connect nitrogenstorage vessels to the first inner compartment. As the first innercompartment fills with nitrogen, the pressure may offload the fuel intothe fuel storage tank. After the second inner compartment is emptied,the nitrogen in the first inner compartment may be recycled back tonitrogen storage vessels. In other embodiments, the nitrogen may bereleased to the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the second innercompartment may be filled with other fluids.

At block 1116, one or more external hoses may be connected to the CO₂storage tanks, the first inner compartment, and the CO₂ pump. In otherembodiments, an external CO₂ pump may be stationed near the CO₂ storagetanks at the location. The external CO₂ pump may be connected to the CO₂storage tanks and the first inner compartment. When the transportationvehicle arrives at a location without having to offload fuel, the one ormore controllers may be activated to control the operability of the CO₂pump and monitor the pressure, temperature, and flow of the CO₂.

At block 1118, an operator may confirm the pressure of the CO₂ storagetank. With the external hoses attached to the first inner compartment ofthe dual-fluid vessel, the CO₂ pump may be turned on to load CO₂ fromthe CO₂ storage tanks to the first inner compartment, at block 1120. Anoperator may monitor the pressure, flow, and temperature of the CO₂, theCO₂ storage tanks, and the second inner compartment, at block 1122. Ifthe pressure is above a set threshold at block 1124, the CO₂ pump mayrun until the contents of the CO₂ storage tanks are empty or until thefirst inner compartment is full at block 1128. In some embodiments, thefirst inner compartment may be partially full or filled. If the pressureis not above the set threshold at block 1124, (e.g., such as thecritical point) the first inner compartment may be pressurized to abovethe threshold, at block 1136. The first inner compartment may also bepressurized by an external compressor at the location. In someembodiments, the first inner compartment may be cooled by arefrigeration unit until the temperature is below the set threshold atblock 1136. In other embodiments, the refrigeration unit may be usedduring transportation to hold the low pressure liquid CO₂ at or belowthe threshold value. At block 1130, the one or more controllers may bedeactivated. The one or more external hoses may be disconnected from theCO₂ storage tanks, the CO₂ pump, and the first inner compartment atblock 1132. The transportation vehicle may leave the location at block1134.

In some embodiments, the one or more external hoses may be connected tothe fuel pump, the fuel storage tanks, the second inner compartment, theCO₂ pump, the CO₂ storage tanks, and the first inner compartment. Theone or more controllers may activate the fuel pump and the CO₂ pump suchthat offloading of the fuel and loading of CO₂ occurs simultaneously orsubstantially simultaneously. In other embodiments, the fuel pump andthe CO₂ pump may activate at staggered times, or different times.

In some embodiments, the one or more controllers may include controller1202, as illustrated in FIG. 12 . The controller may include a processor1204, a memory 1206, and offloading or onloading operations instructions1208. The controller 1202 may include memory 1206 and one or moreprocessors 1204. The memory 1206 may store instructions executable byone or more processors 1204. In an example, the memory 1206 may be anon-transitory machine-readable storage medium. As used herein, a“machine-readable storage medium” may be any electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical storage apparatus or cyber-physicalseparation storage to contain or store information such as executableinstructions, data, and the like. For example, any machine-readablestorage medium described herein may be any of random access memory(RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, flash memory, a storagedrive (e.g., hard drive), a solid-state drive, any type of storage disc,and the like, or a combination thereof. As noted, the memory 1206 maystore or include instructions executable by the processor 1204. As usedherein, a “processor” may include, for example, one processor ormultiple processors included in a single device or distributed acrossmultiple computing devices. The processor 1204 may be at least one of acentral processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, agraphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)to retrieve and execute instructions, a real-time processor (RTP), otherelectronic circuitry suitable for the retrieval and executioninstructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium, or acombination thereof.

As used herein, “signal communication” refers to electric communicationsuch as hard wiring two components together or wireless communication,as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, wirelesscommunication may be Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, or forms of near fieldcommunications. In addition, signal communication may include one ormore intermediate controllers or relays disposed between elements insignal communication.

As noted, the memory 1206 may include instructions foroffloading/onloading operations 1208. The pressure sensors 1218 andsensor 1220 may send a signal to the controller 1202 indicating pressureor another characteristic (e.g., temperature, etc.) within a bladder orother compartment. The controller 1202 may perform, execute, or adjustexecution of the offloading/onloading operations 1208 based on suchindications. The offloading/onloading operations 1208 may includeinstructions may utilize characteristics or signals provided relating tobladder dynamics 1210 (e.g., wear, numbers of use, etc.), transportationpump 1212 (e.g., flow rate of fuel), CO₂ Pump 1214 (e.g., flow rate ofCO₂), and N₂ Operation 1216 (e.g., amount of nitrogen to purge and/orfill the bladder or other compartment). Offloading operations mayinclude controlling the flow from the first inner compartment and secondinner compartment and shutting off pumps when pressure is outside ofsafe operating conditions. Onloading operations may include controllingflow from storage tanks at a location and shutting off pumps whenpressure is outside of safe operating conditions. Theoffloading/onloading operations 1208 may utilize the bladder dynamics tocontrol the operation of a spring system and hydraulic system of abladder and may further include reducing the hydraulic system pressurewhen fuel is loaded into the bladder to expand the surface area of thebladder. When the fuel is offloaded, the hydraulic system may increasein pressure to reduce the capacity of the bladder. In some embodiments,the controller 1202 may control the operation of the transportation pump1212 and CO₂ pump 1214. In other embodiments, the controller 1202 maycontrol N₂ operation 1216 from nearby nitrogen storage vessels oron-board nitrogen tanks. The controller 1202 may determine, based onsignals from the pressure sensors 1218, when N₂ may be added to thefirst inner compartment.

In a further embodiment, the controller 1202 may include instructions tomaintain a specified temperature range and/or pressure range within oneor more of the first inner compartment and/or second inner compartmentduring transit. Such instructions may utilize the same or similarcomponents utilized for offloading/onloading operations. Upon executionof the instructions, during transit, the controller 1202 may determine acurrent temperature of a first inner compartment and/or second innercompartment (e.g., via sensors 1220 for example and/or other temperaturesensors positioned throughout a dual-fluid vessel), a current pressureof the first inner compartment and/or second inner compartment (e.g.,via pressure sensors 1218), a fluid level of a first inner compartment(e.g., via sensors 1220 for example and/or other temperature sensorspositioned throughout a dual-fluid vessel), and/or a fluid level of thesecond inner compartment (e.g., via sensors 1220 for example and/orother temperature sensors positioned throughout a dual-fluid vessel).The controller 1202 may include or store (e.g., for example, in memory1206) various pressure ranges for different fluids. After anoffloading/onloading operation, the controller 1202 may receive anindication on the type of fluid currently contained in the dual-fluidvessel and in which compartment. The controller 1202 may determine thepressure and/or temperature ranges based on the type of fluid (e.g.,liquid CO₂ and/or liquid fuel) and how much of that type of fluid is inone of the compartments. The controller 1202 may monitor the currenttemperature and/or pressure continuously or substantially continuously.If the current temperature and/or pressure is less than the temperatureand/or pressure range, the controller 1202 may cause a pump orcompressor attached to or proximate to the dual-fluid vessel to activateand operate until pressure is within the range. If the currenttemperature and/or pressure is greater than the temperature and/orpressure range, the controller 1202 may cause a relief valve to actuateto decrease pressure within the dual-fluid vessel. The controller 1202may also control a refrigeration unit to maintain the temperature range.

Although specific terms are employed herein, the terms are used in adescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Embodimentsof systems and methods have been described in considerable detail withspecific reference to the illustrated embodiments. However, it will beapparent that various modifications and changes can be made within thespirit and scope of the embodiments of systems and methods as describedin the foregoing specification, and such modifications and changes areto be considered equivalents and part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual-fluid transport system for transporting afuel and carbon dioxide (CO₂), the system comprising: one or morestorage tanks positioned at a selected location to separately store afuel and a CO₂; a transportation vehicle for transporting the fuel andCO₂, the transportation vehicle having: one or more controllersconfigured to control offloading/loading of the fuel and CO₂, a fuelpump controlled via the one or more controllers and positioned in fluidcommunication with the fuel, a CO₂ pump controlled via the one or morecontrollers and positioned in fluid communication with the CO₂, and oneor more digital gauges to display one or more of pressures, flowrates,other fluid dynamic properties, or compartment level of two or moreinner compartments; a dual-fluid vessel configured to connect to thetransportation vehicle for transporting the fuel and the carbon dioxide,the dual-fluid vessel comprising: an outer shell including an outersurface, two or more inner compartments positioned within the outershell, the two or more inner compartments having: a first innercompartment configured to store CO₂, and a second inner compartmentconfigured to store fuel, insulation positioned between the outersurface and the two or more inner compartments to provide temperatureregulation for fuel and the CO₂ when positioned in the respective firstinner compartment and second inner compartment, and one or more portseach having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluidpathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the secondinner compartment, thereby to provide fluid communication through theopening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading one or more of the fuelor CO₂; one or more digital gauges positioned proximate the one or morecontrollers to display one or more pressures, flowrates, andtemperatures of the fuel and the CO₂; and one or more external hoseshaving a proximal end portion attached to a first adapter and a distalend portion attached to a second adapter, the proximal end portion beingpositioned to be in fluid communication between the first innercompartment or the second inner compartment via the fuel pump and CO₂pump and the distal end portion being positioned to be in fluidcommunication with each of the one or more storage tanks.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the one or more storage tanks comprises: one or morefuel tanks configured to store the fuel, and one or more CO₂ tanksconfigured to store the CO₂, and wherein the one or more controllersincludes a user interface to allow an operator to selectoffloading/loading operations of the fuel and CO₂.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein in the transportation vehicle comprises a semi-tractor,a marine vessel, or a rail locomotive.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe second inner compartment comprises a bladder defining the secondinner compartment, the bladder being expandable when fluid is positionedtherein.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a nozzleconnection for CO₂ removal.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein one ormore of the first inner compartment or the second inner compartment issubstantially surrounded by the insulation.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the CO₂ comprises liquid CO₂, wherein a CO₂ temperature remainsbelow a critical point, and wherein the liquid CO₂ comprises lowpressure liquid CO₂ or high pressure liquid CO₂.
 8. The system of claim1, further comprising a control valve positioned between one of the oneor more storage tanks and second inner compartment to control a flow ofthe fuel.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fuel comprises one ormore of an ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), diesel, gasoline, renewablediesel, hydrogen, ammonia, ethanol, or liquefied natural gas (LNG). 10.The system of claim 1, wherein the transportation vehicle furthercomprises a refrigeration unit to hold a compartment pressure below afirst selected pressure.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the two ormore inner compartments further comprises one or more sensors to sensethe fuel and CO₂ temperature, flowrate, or pressure.
 12. A method ofoffloading/loading a fuel and carbon dioxide (CO₂) at a location, themethod comprising: stationing a transportation vehicle at the location,the transportation vehicle comprising: (a) one or more controllersconfigured to control offloading/loading of the fuel and CO₂, (b) a fuelpump controlled via the one or more controllers and positioned in fluidcommunication with the fuel, (c) a CO₂ pump controlled via the one ormore controllers and positioned in fluid communication with the CO₂, (d)one or more digital gauges to display one or more of pressures,flowrates, or compartment level of two or more inner compartments; (e) adual-fluid vessel configured to connect to a truck trailer fortransporting the fuel and the carbon dioxide, the dual-fluid vesselcomprising: (i) an outer shell, including an outer surface, (ii) two ormore inner compartments positioned within the outer shell, the two ormore inner compartments having: (iii) a first inner compartmentconfigured to store carbon dioxide (CO₂), (iv) a second innercompartment configured to store fuel, (v) insulation positioned betweenthe outer surface and the two or more inner compartments to providetemperature regulation for fuel and the CO₂, and (vi) one or more portseach having an opening in and through the outer shell and a fluidpathway to one or more of the first inner compartment or the secondinner compartment thereby to provide fluid communication through theopening and fluid pathway for loading/offloading one or more of the fuelor CO₂; confirming contents in the first inner compartment and a secondinner compartment; connecting one or more external hoses, the one ormore external hoses having: (a) a proximal end portion attached to afirst adapter positioned to be in fluid communication therebetween thefirst inner compartment and a CO₂ pump on the transportation vehicle orthe second inner compartment and a fuel pump on the transportationvehicle, and (b) a distal end portion attached to a second adapterpositioned to be connected to be in fluid communication with one or morestorage tanks at a location wherein each of the one or more storagetanks contain an amount of fuel or an amount of CO₂; activating the oneor more controllers to supply power to the fuel pump and the CO₂ pump;pumping the amount of fuel from the second inner compartment to the oneor more storage tanks at the location; pumping the amount of CO₂ fromthe one or more storage tanks to the first inner compartment; anddisconnecting one or more external hoses.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the pumping the amount of fuel from the second inner compartmentto the one or more storage tanks and the pumping the amount of CO₂ fromthe one or more storage tanks to the first inner compartment occurssubstantially simultaneously.
 14. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising determining the compartment level of the first innercompartment.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the CO₂ comprisesliquid CO₂.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the transportationvehicle further comprises a refrigeration unit configured to hold acompartment pressure below a selected pressure.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein the selected pressure comprises a first selected pressure,and the method further comprises activating the refrigeration unit whenthe compartment pressure is greater than a second selected pressure. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein the fuel comprises one of an ultra-lowsulfur diesel (ULSD), diesel, gasoline, renewable diesel, hydrogen,ammonia, ethanol, or liquefied natural gas (LNG).
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the second inner compartment comprises a bladderdefining the second inner compartment, the bladder being expandable whenfluid is positioned therein.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising determining pressure or temperature of the two or more innercompartments.